It was founded in 1907 by entrepreneur Alexei Vishnyakov as the first finance-specialized college in the Russian Empire.

It was essentially the first institute in Russia offering higher business education in line with the then rapidly developing branches of Russian industry.

Recent years were marked with rising international cooperation, such as the foundation of the Africa Business House.

Currently, Plekhanov University is working on attaining EQUIS accreditation.

Austria Belgium Canada China Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Italy Japan Norway Netherlands Portugal Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan United Kingdom United States University alumni are employed in different spheres of Russian and world economy and politics.